On the morning of Thursday, May 8, 2025, Las Cruces, New Mexico, became the site of a tragic incident that has left the community grieving and searching for answers. At approximately 6:30 a.m., gunshots rang out in the 900 block of Walnut Street, near Lynn Middle School, resulting in the death of 18-year-old Josiah Perrault and non-life-threatening injuries to another man. The shooting has prompted a swift and ongoing response from local law enforcement, including the Officer-involved Incident Task Force (OIITF), which consists of investigators from the Las Cruces Police Department, New Mexico State Police, Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, and New Mexico State University Police.
The shooting, which occurred in a residential area, quickly drew the attention of law enforcement and first responders. According to the Las Cruces Police Department, the officer involved in the shooting was not injured. As is standard procedure in cases involving law enforcement, the officer has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. While the details surrounding the incident remain limited, the authorities are working diligently to gather all relevant information. Local residents, however, have shared their accounts of hearing multiple gunshots followed by the sound of a car speeding away. One resident noted that while gunfire is not uncommon in the area, the loud and sudden nature of this incident raised alarms.
In the wake of the tragic shooting, the Las Cruces community has been left reeling, and many are asking questions about what happened and why. The investigation into the shooting is being led by the Officer-involved Incident Task Force, which has been working diligently to collect evidence and gather statements from witnesses. Given that the shooting involved law enforcement, it is being treated with the utmost seriousness, and the findings will be forwarded to the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office for further review and determination of any potential charges or legal actions.
Despite the ongoing investigation, much of the information surrounding the shooting remains scarce. As of now, the identities of the individuals involved in the incident have not been released to the public, and many of the details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting remain unknown. Authorities have not yet clarified whether the shooting was an isolated incident or part of a larger event, and they are continuing their efforts to piece together the events that transpired on the morning of May 8.
For the community, this uncertainty and the lack of clarity regarding the shooting have raised concerns. Many residents are left in the dark, unsure of what led to the tragic loss of life, and unsure of whether they are at risk of further violence. This sense of unease is compounded by the fact that the incident occurred near a school, heightening the emotional impact for families with children attending Lynn Middle School. While the school has taken steps to ensure the safety of students, the larger community has been left to grapple with the unsettling nature of the event.
The Las Cruces Police Department and the OIITF have assured the public that they are working as quickly as possible to determine the facts surrounding the shooting. They have encouraged residents to be patient and to allow law enforcement officials the time they need to conduct a thorough investigation. In the meantime, they have promised to keep the public informed and up to date as new information becomes available. A news conference has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at City Hall, where further details about the investigation will be shared. This delay in providing an update is due to the fact that many department members are attending National Police Week events in Washington, D.C., where they are honoring the memory of Officer Jonah Hernandez.
For the residents of Las Cruces, this tragic incident is a reminder of the importance of community safety and the role that law enforcement plays in maintaining order and protecting the public. The community has shown resilience in the wake of this event, with local leaders, residents, and first responders coming together to support one another during this difficult time. The shooting has sparked conversations about public safety and the need for greater measures to prevent violence in the area. It also highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces when responding to incidents involving their own officers and the broader implications of such events.
For those affected by the events in Las Cruces, this is a time for mourning, reflection, and solidarity. The coming weeks will likely bring more information, and the community will continue to seek justice for those involved. The Las Cruces Police Department, the OIITF, and local government officials have all expressed their commitment to ensuring that the investigation is thorough and transparent, and that justice is served for the victim of the shooting and their loved ones. As the investigation progresses, residents are encouraged to stay informed and to continue to support their community in any way they can.
In the meantime, the thoughts and prayers of the Las Cruces community are with the family of Josiah Perrault, and with all those affected by the tragic events of May 8, 2025. The city stands united in its commitment to finding justice and ensuring that such an incident does not happen again in the future.
